Tuesday, February 25, 2014

Kindness

Over the past few days the importance of kindness has been a reoccurring theme.  I try to find some time each week to go hiking at some point, and this week it happened to be on a Thursday after school since the temple was closed. (I started this post in January.) Admittedly, I'm not the best hiker, but I enjoy it.  I love that hiking in a strange way brings people together.  Everybody is trying to reach the same objective, but we all approach it a little differently and at different speeds.  I love that for the most part there is a generally accepted norm of at least saying hello to other hikers as you pass by them on the trail.  It is a simple kindness that people will still say hello when I look like this. (Considering how red my face is most of the time, they are probably just verifying that I am in fact still breathing.  I assure you that I normally look worse than I actually feel.)

I have reflected on several examples of simple kindness over the past year and how grateful I am for them in my life.  Each one of these examples makes me want to be better, to be kinder.  Undoubtedly the impact of kindness is more profound then sometimes we imagine.  So I'd hope that I can be a bit kinder. Not nearly all of the examples of kindness that I have experienced have come to mind, but a few to share.

 A student brought me cookies to say thank you, and mind you I had been CRAVING chocolate chip cookies that whole week. This small kindness was so very much appreciated, especially because it was so unexpected.  I will not mention how many cookies were on that plate before I took the picture. :)

Last year while I was in Chile, I took to bus to visit Vina del Mar for a day.  I met Maria Teresa when she sat next to me on the bus from Santiago.  We had an enjoyable conversation about her children and Chile in general.  She was so sweet to walk with me after we got off the bus and she invited me into her home.  Once again her simple kindness to show me where to go and to invite me in for a while was very much appreciated.

In the middle of January a friend brought me lunch in this adorable thermos! It was so incredibly thoughtful, and such a sweet surprise.  I wish I had a picture of the delicious soup that was made for me as well.  Again, a simple kindness for somebody to go out of their way.

My sister inviting me to be a part of her family trip to Disneyland.  It seems silly but this was a kindness to let me spend time with my adorable nieces.

A couple of weeks ago I had the opportunity to help a few people in wheelchairs through the Gilbert temple open house.  It was a sweet experience and the temple is a prime example of the Lord's kindness. (In addition, a lady commented on my calves.  Compliments are always an appreciated kindness.  I need to be better about giving out more compliments.)


I'm grateful for the goodness of people. I think it is when I take time to appreciate some of these simple things that I am the happiest.  Here's to finding ways to reciprocate the kindness that I've been shown. :)